Tanzania to resume meat exports to Saudi Arabia

Tanzania is gearing up to revive its meat export industry to Saudi Arabia after a 19-year suspension due to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Tullah Mloge, the Cluster and Partnership Manager at the Southern Agriculture Corridor of Tanzania, shed light on the potential resurgence of the country's meat exports in a recent interview with CNBC Africa. Mloge highlighted the vast potential of Tanzania's meat industry, citing a population of approximately 33.9 million cattle and 24.5 million goats. While Tanzania currently exports meat in limited quantities to countries in the Far East, Indian Ocean islands like Comoros, and neighboring nations such as Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia, the capacity for export remains largely untapped. Challenges persist in the market, including inconsistent supply, subpar meat quality, and untimely deliveries. The Tanzanian government has taken steps to address these challenges by modernizing animal husbandry practices, encouraging sedentary cattle farming, and promoting improved animal feed quality. Efforts to enhance the genetics of meat-producing animals are also underway, with a focus on enhancing the local breed to meet international standards. Private sector investment in the meat industry is being stimulated through policy improvements, such as setting a flat rate fee for slaughtering cattle regardless of weight. These measures aim to bolster domestic production and streamline export processes. Despite previous restrictions, Tanzania is eyeing a re-entry into the Saudi Arabian market. Discussions are ongoing between Tanzanian officials and their Saudi counterparts, with a team from Saudi Arabia expected to visit Tanzania to assess the country's compliance with Halal certification standards. Tanzanian meat companies are gearing up for inspections, signaling the country's readiness to meet Saudi Arabia's stringent quality requirements. Notable investments in meat processing facilities, such as the factory in Monza led by Mr. John Chobo and slaughterhouses in Iki Baha and Arusha, underscore Tanzania's commitment to expanding its meat export capacity. While progress has been made in diversifying export markets across Southeast and Far East Asia, re-entering the lucrative Saudi Arabian market remains a priority for Tanzania's meat industry. The imminent visit by the Saudi team to evaluate Tanzanian facilities signals a potential breakthrough in resuming meat exports to the Kingdom. The Tanzanian government's proactive measures and industry stakeholders' preparedness bode well for a successful re-entry into the Saudi market, offering new growth opportunities for the country's meat sector.